By: Ryan Hill — Public Relations
Madison, WI — July 10, 2013. The Madison Mallards (5-2, 26-14) travel to Wausau, Wisconsin today to start a two-game series against the Wisconsin Woodchucks (5-2, 18-23). First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
The Mallards are fresh off of a two-game sweep over the Eau Claire Express after winning the second game Tuesday night by a score of 6-2. The Mallards got out to an early lead and Cam Verbeke (Illinois State) was nearly flawless during his third start of the season.
Verbeke went six innings and allowed one run (earned) on just three hits and struck out seven. Joe McCarthy led the way at the plate by going 2-for-5 with a pair of runs driven in. Brock Stewart (Illinois State), Jason Goldstein (Illinois) and Jeff Zahn (Indiana State) also had two hits for the Mallards.
Greg Welsh (Penn State) will start on the hill for the Mallards tonight and will look to bounce back from his first loss of the season. He allowed seven runs (six earned) on five hits in just four innings in his last start on July 4th against Eau Claire. Just one start prior to that, Welsh carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Woodchucks at home. He ended up going seven innings and allowed just one hit and two walks.
The Mallards will see the Woodchucks starter Koby Gauna (Cal State Fullerton) for the second time this season. He made his lone start of the season on June 28th against the Mallards and allowed no runs on four hits in three innings before being pulled. In three appearances this season with one start, the 6’2,” 210-pounder for Torrance, California is 0-0 with a 7.04 ERA.
Excellence over the Express
The Mallards have been nothing short of dominant against the Express over the last two years. They are now 14-3 against the Eau Claire squad since the beginning of the 2012 season. Their only loss to the Express this season came on the first game of the second half on July 4th, when the Express won 12-5.
Red Hot July
The Mallards bats have been on fire since the start of the month, as the team is averaging 12.1 hits per game and 7.3 runs per game in their 10 games in July. Conversely, the pitching staff is only allowing 4.8 runs per game on 7.9 hits.
Up Next:
The Mallards return to the “Duck Pond” Thursday for the second game of a two-game series with the Woodchucks. Thursday’s game is scheduled for a 7:05 pm start.
Thursday is the Great Dane Summertime St. Patty’s Day as well as Madison Media Night! There will also be entertainment from The Kissers before and during the game while also having The Kissers and Madison Music Foundry CD giveaway. There will be additional mid-game performance by Madison Music Foundry’s Rock Band Workshop So Am I. The Jewish Social Services of Madison Community Connection Night will also be held that night.
The Madison Mallards are your Northwoods League South Division First Half Champions! Playoff tickets are on-sale now!
The Madison Mallards are part of the 16-team Northwoods League. The Northwoods League has more teams, plays more games, and draws more fans than any other Summer Collegiate Baseball League in North America. In 2013, the Northwoods League is celebrating its 20th season.
